The Reading Cafe 9th Anniversary Giveaway-Berkley Publishing

The Reading Cafe 9th Anniversary Giveaway from Berkley Publishing

 

NOTE: All giveaways require a comment to qualify

Please be aware some of the books offered may be ARC copies from the publisher which may or may not have gone through final edits or final cover copy

Berkley Publishing is graciously offering 1 (one) five book prize package to 2 (two) commenters.

There will be 2 winners, each winning a set of five paper back books from Berkley Publishing.

PRIZE PACKAGE #1

PRIZE PACKAGE #2

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please tell us to enter you into the giveaway.

4. Like  BERKLEY ROMANCE on FACEBOOK and then click on NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

5.  If you have a preference, please let us know which prize package you would prefer (there is no guarantee)

6. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click ‘on’ NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

7. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

8. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

9. Please follow The Reading Cafe on Tumblr

10. Giveaway open to USA only

11. Giveaway runs from February 28-March 6, 2021

Share

Hot on the Ice by Anna Sugden – a Review

Hot on the Ice by Anna Sugden – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Apple

 

Description:
Lily Eddison is on the way to making it—her personalized, gourmet chocolates are in high demand. She has it all going on…until her landlord pulls the rug out from under her. Now she needs investors but the last person she expects or wants to save the day is the oh-so-hot, but arrogant, pro-hockey player Dante “Fireman” Taylor.

Hockey is Dante’s life and as the Docker’s star defensemen, he has no time for love. An opportunity to invest in Lily’s dream is just business, even though he can’t stop thinking about the gorgeous chocolatier. Despite his reluctance to be in a relationship, Dante and Lily move from partners to friends to lovers and he’s all in… Until an obsessive fan’s revenge tanks their romance and it’s dead on the ice.

Great hockey players know they have to take more shots on goal to score a hat trick and Dante gives it his all to prove to Lily that off the ice, she’s the only one for him.

 

Review:

Hot on the Ice by Anna Sugden has two of my favourites; hockey and chocolate.  I knew from those items this book was going to be a winner and I was right.  Hot on the Ice captured my interest from beginning to end with Lily and Dante.  Their adventure was fast paced and electric. The chemistry between the two even though hostile in the beginning was sizzling.  As their adventure moved forward it only got hotter.  Little wonder Dante’s nickname is Fireman!  Woohoo can he start a fire with one little look! 

Lily and Dante have a history and I’m glad Ms. Sugden takes the time to really let us learn their backstory because it plays a major role in their current situation and what’s to come thanks to a crazy stalker fan of Dante’s who doesn’t know how to take ‘no’ for an answer.  Thanks to stalker fan Sheree, she tosses poor Dante’s plans of a do over with Lily into precarious waters and almost causes Dante to loose Lily for a second time in his life. I like how both characters had great friends who rallied behind them to help solve the problem of stalker fan and hopefully pave the way for a reconciliation for Dante and Lily.  What’s the old saying 3rd times a charm?  LOL!! Well in Dante’s case it really was. 

Hot on the Ice was a fairly quick read for me. Like I said, hockey and chocolate as part of the story I couldn’t go wrong. Toss in two well crafted characters who had great chemistry and just clicked from the get go only propelled the story forward, kept it interesting and page turning all the way through.  Her secondary characters added another solid layer to Dante and Lily’s story, giving us more info on both and allowing the story to just keep rolling along. Now I’m wondering if Ms. Sugden will continue with another hockey book based on two of the secondary characters we meet along the way because there seemed to be enough hints that these two like each other and could have something more down the road. Guess I’ll have to wait and see. It also helped that Ms. Sugden tossed in a good amount of hockey talk and play along with some really delicious chocolate making talk/scenes as well.  All I wanted to do was watch hockey and eat chocolate afterwards, LoL!!  If anyone is as big a hockey fan and chocolate fan as I am then Hot on the Ice won’t disappoint at all.

Until next time, happy reading everyone!

Reviewed by Marcie

Copy provided by Publisher

Share

Kingdom of Shadow and Light by Karen Marie Moning – a Review

Kingdom of Shadow and Light by Karen Marie Moning – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Book Depository

 

Description:
From the moment MacKayla Lane arrived in Dublin to hunt her sister’s murderer, she’s had to fight one dangerous battle after the next: to survive, to secure power, to keep her city safe, to protect the people she loves.

The matter of who’s good and who’s evil can be decided by the answer to a single question: Whose side are you on?

Now, as High Queen of the Fae, Mac faces her greatest challenge yet: ruling the very race she was born to hunt and kill – a race that wants her dead yesterday, so they can put a pure-blooded Fae queen on the throne.

But challenges with her subjects are the least of her concerns when an ancient, deadly foe resurfaces, changing not only the rules of the game but the very game itself, initiating a catastrophic sequence of events that have devastating consequences and leave Mac questioning everything she’s ever learned and everyone she’s ever loved. Now begins an epic battle between Mortal and Fae, Seelie and Unseelie, would-be kings and would-be queens, with possession of the Unseelie King’s virtually unlimited power and the fate of humanity at stake.

From the exquisite, deadly gardens of the High Queen’s court, to long-forgotten truths found in the Sacred Grove of Creation, from the erotic bed of her enigmatic, powerful lover to the darkest, seductive reaches of the Unseelie kingdom, Mac’s final journey takes her places no human has been before, and only one human could possibly survive…One who’s willing to sacrifice everything.

 

 

Review:

A Kingdom of Shadow and Light by Karen Marie Moning is the 11th book in her fantastic Fever series. Upon completion of reading this book, I was thrilled how Moning finished this series, especially how she added on some epilogues.  As much as I will miss Mac, Barrons, Dani, Ryoden, etc,  I was happy to see the conclusion of this series, which was an exciting and wild ride, as well as being very satisfying. 

We pick up after High Voltage left off, as Mac is now the High Queen of the Fae, and faces her enemies daily, as even in her own courts they try to kill her.  With Barrons still close by protecting Mac, as well as her friends, she manages to be a step ahead of the enemies, but she learns of a powerful ancient enemy, who everyone thought dead, and chaos is about to put them all in danger. Where does Mac turn; as many of those close to her all of a sudden are missing, including her father, Dani, Kat’s daughter, etc.

What follows is an ultra-exciting, wild, mind bending story, though very early on it was a bit slow, but quickly changes to a nonstop thriller all the way.   The stakes are high, as Mac is determined to save humans and the Fae, as well as the Seelie, and the question is still out there as to who will become the next King, with 4 possible candidates.   The chapters revolve around mostly Mac, Dani and newcomer Lyryka, with some others along the way.  There is a lot of fear, as we see many of our favorites in dangerous situations.  Who will live and who will survive? 

I will not give spoilers, as it will most definitely ruin things for you, and this is a difficult review to write, since so much happens; especially with so many twists and turns as we race to the climax.  A Kingdom of Shadow and Light was a rollercoaster of a wild ride throughout, and ¾ of the book was non-stop and very emotional on so many levels.  As I noted earlier, it was wonderful to spend so much time with our favorites, Mac, Barrons, Dani, Ryodan, Shazham, Christian, Kat, just to name a few, as I loved every moment of this series.  Thank you Karen Marie Moning for this wonderful closure of the series.  If you are a Fever fan, you must read this book, to get the perfect closure to the series.

Reviewed by Barb

Own Copy

 

Share

9th Anniversary Giveaway Celebration with Katie Reus

The Reading Cafe 9th Anniversary Giveaway Celebration with Katie Reus-Today’s Prize Package

NOTE:  All giveaways require a comment to qualify

Please be aware some of the books offered may be ARC copies from the publisher  / author which may or may not have gone through final edits or final cover copy

Katie Reus is graciously offering a paper copy of ANCIENT PROTECTOR to ONE (1) lucky US commenter at The Reading Cafe

ONE (1) winner will receive a paper copy of ANCIENT PROTECTOR

 

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please tell us to enter you into the giveaway.

4. Please LIKE and FOLLOW Katie Reus on FACEBOOK.

5. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click ‘on’ NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

6. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

7. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

8. Please follow The Reading Cafe on Tumblr

9. Giveaway open to US only

10. Giveaway runs until February 27-March 5, 2021

Share

Thy Kingdom Come(Deliver Us From Evil 1) by Monica James-a review

Thy Kingdom Come (Deliver Us From Evil #1) by Monica James-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 24 2021

Monsters are real.

When I was five years old, I watched my mother take her last breath—a breath three monsters stole from her.

I never chose this life. My father says it’s my birthright, but all I see is a curse. It’s because of the Kelly name my mum was slain by the Doyles—our enemies in Dublin, the fellas livin’ on borrowed time.

All of Belfast fears my family, especially me. I’m Puck Kelly, otherwise known as Punky; the lad ye don’t want to double cross.

I don’t do feelings or emotions. I never have…until she walks into my world.

Babydoll is a liar and a thief, but I can’t stay away. We both thrive in the darkness because that’s where our demons can play.

No word af a lie, sixteen years later, those monsters still haunt my dreams. But every monster is scared of somethin’…and that somethin’ is me.

No more hiding in the shadows because I’m huntin’ youse.

Run, wee monsters, run.

••••••

REVIEW:THY KINGDOM COME is the first instalment in Monica James’ contemporary, adult DELIVER US FROM EVIL dark, erotic, Irish mob, romance series focusing on twenty-one year old Puck ‘Punky’ Kelly, and a woman Punky calls Babydoll.

WARNING: Due to the graphic nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Punky and Babydoll) following several intersecting paths, THY KINGDOM COME focuses on a decades old feud in Ireland between the Kellys vs the Doyles, the Protestants vs the Catholics, Belfast vs Dublin in a fight for power and control of the criminal underworld in Ireland.

Approximately sixteen years earlier, a then five year old Punky Kelly witnessed the brutal rape and murder of his beloved mother Cara, and in the ensuing years Punky vowed vengeance against the Doyles, the family he blames for her vicious demise but secrets and lies are about to be exposed forcing Punky to choose between family and the truth, blood and oath. Having never forgiven his father for his lack of concern regarding the death of his mother, Punky knows it is only a matter of time before he takes his place on the proverbial throne but someone else is waiting for the perfect opportunity and Punky is about to pay the price.

Meanwhile, Punky finds himself attracted to a woman who is more trouble than he could have imagined. An accidental meeting forces Punky to ‘hunt’ for the woman he only knows as Babydoll but Babydoll’s appearance in his life is more than coincidence as the war between the Kellys and the Doyles is about to turn more personal, dangerous and deadly.

THY KINGDOM COME is a dark, intense, gritty and raw story line of betrayal and revenge, and the fight for power and control covering approximately twenty-six years from prologue to epilogue. The premise is tragic, dramatic and intense; the characters are broken, cruel, and charismatic; the romance is predicated upon secrets and lies.

I did have a couple of concerns where the reality of what happened or was revealed is questionable but such is the nature of fictionalized story lines. THY KINGDOM COME ends on a bit of cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Monica James spent her youth devouring the works of Anne Rice, William Shakespeare, and Emily Dickinson.

When she is not writing, Monica is busy running her own business, but she always finds a balance between the two. She enjoys writing honest, heartfelt, and turbulent stories, hoping to leave an imprint on her readers. She draws her inspiration from life.

She is a bestselling author in the U.S., Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Israel, and the U.K.

Monica James resides in Melbourne, Australia, with her wonderful family, and menagerie of animals. She is slightly obsessed with cats, chucks, and lip gloss, and secretly wishes she was a ninja on the weekends.

TWITTER /  FACEBOOK /  PINTEREST / AUTHORGRAPH /  WEBSITE

Share

The Things We Leave Unfinished by Rebecca Yarros – Review

The Things We Leave Unfinished by Rebecca Yarros – Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Book Depository

 

Description:
Twenty-eight-year-old Georgia Stanton has to start over after she gave up almost everything in a brutal divorce—the New York house, the friends, and her pride. Now back home at her late great-grandmother’s estate in Colorado, she finds herself face-to-face with Noah Harrison, the bestselling author of a million books where the cover is always people nearly kissing. He’s just as arrogant in person as in interviews, and she’ll be damned if the good-looking writer of love stories thinks he’s the one to finish her grandmother’s final novel…even if the publisher swears he’s the perfect fit.

Noah is at the pinnacle of his career. With book and movie deals galore, there isn’t much the “golden boy” of modern fiction hasn’t accomplished. But he can’t walk away from what might be the best book of the century—the one his idol, Scarlett Stanton, left unfinished. Coming up with a fitting ending for the legendary author is one thing, but dealing with her beautiful, stubborn, cynical great-granddaughter, Georgia, is quite another.

But as they read Scarlett’s words in both the manuscript and her box of letters, they start to realize why Scarlett never finished the book—it’s based on her real-life romance with a World War II pilot, and the ending isn’t a happy one. Georgia knows all too well that love never works out, and while the chemistry and connection between her and Noah is undeniable, she’s as determined as ever to learn from her great-grandmother’s mistakes—even if it means destroying Noah’s career.

Told in alternating timelines, THE THINGS WE LEAVE UNFINISHED examines the risks we take for love, the scars too deep to heal, and the endings we can’t bring ourselves to see coming.

 

 

Review:

The Things We Leave Unfinished by Rebecca Yarros is a wonderful standalone novel.  We meet our heroine, Georgia Stanton, who returns home to her deceased grandmother’s estate in Colorado, which she inherited. Georgia is coming off of a divorce from her movie mogul husband, who was cheating on her, and all she cares about is her privacy.   Stopping at the local book store, she runs into an arrogant man, and they both get into a discussion on romance books.  Scarlett Stanton was a famous beloved romance author, and Georgia grandmother, who always thought Noah Harrison ended his books without happy endings.

Georgia quickly goes home, only to find her mother, whom she rarely sees (unless she needs money), looking over papers belonging to her grandmother.  She learns her mother is trying to sell the unfinished book of Scarlett Stanton, much to Georgia’s dismay. The editor is there discussing arrangements, and to make matters worse, they want Noah Harrison to finish Scarlett’s book; and when someone else arrives at the house, it is that young man she met in the book store; who happens to be Noah Harrison.  Georgia will put a stop to this, but her mother begs her that she needs this money, and Georgia will give in but with restrictions that she controls.

What follows is an amazing story between two time periods; the present time with Georgia and Noah and the past with Scarlett and Jameson.  The basis of the story is the beautiful romance between Scarlett falling in love with World War II pilot, Jameson, which gave the feel of all those old times historical romances, and fully left open to an ending to that story.  The author does do multiple chapters revolving around Scarlett and Jameson in a row, and then it starts switching back and forth to Noah and Georgia.

Noah is determined to work on that novel, and come up with a fitting ending to this novel, especially a happy ending.  Georgia, who currently isn’t in the romantic frame of mind, does not want a happy ending, just the sad truth of what happened. The both of them get off on the wrong foot, and it does take time for that to change, as later they begin to fall for each other.

Scarlett and Jameson’s love story were heartwarming and wonderful.  You can’t help fall in love with them over and over.  As I said, at first, we could not see anything happening between Noah and Georgia, but it was fun to see this change into another sweet romance; which turned into a great modern-day romance. However, we did spend a lot of time worrying if Noah and Georgia would open their hearts to each other.

In each of the time periods, we had some wonderful secondary characters and some evil ones.  In the past (Scarlett and Jameson), her sister Constance was wonderful, as was Jameson’s pilot friend. Scarlett’s mother and father were terrible.  In the present, Georgia’s friends were very good, as was Adam, Noah’s friend.  I did not like Georgia’s ex Damian, nor her mother, Ava. 

Rebecca Yarros wrote an amazing enchanting story filled with love, heartbreak, tragedy, sadness and happiness. I will note that I was totally blindsided by a twist at the end, which made this even more intriguing.  Very well done.  The Things We Leave Unfinished is a captivating must read.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

Share

Thrasher (Royal Bastards MC :Portland 1) by KL Savage-Review tour

Thrasher (Royal Bastards MC :Portland, Oregon 1) by KL Savage-Review tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 26, 2021

Home is where the heart is.
That’s what I was taught.
Until I met her…

We’ve been traveling all over the country, recruiting new members for our club.
Before we call it quits, we make a pitstop in Las Vegas.
I’m owed a debt and I’ve come to collect.
It’s been awhile since I spoke to the President of the Ruthless Kings.
And I’m calling in my marker.
I figured I’d ask for cash, maybe a few new recruits, arm’s dealer networks, but he said no.
That’s fine.

But then I set my sights on her.
A blonde bombshell.
Yeah, she’s mine.
And after I have her, Reaper and I will call it even.
We are only here for a few days. Time is not on my side to whisk her away.
There are a few problems.
I’ve learned every good thing comes with its own challenges.
And she’s a good thing.
She’s shy, bashful, and won’t let me near her.
And the Ruthless Kings are getting in my way.
But I’m not leaving without her.
It’s a good thing I don’t.

Because another man enters the picture, one that she seems terrified of, and I don’t like to see those doe eyes scared.
I’ll slay her dragons and make sure she lives the fairytale she’s always wanted.
It’s time take to take my heart home.
In Portland.

She might have been my target, but she ended up marking me.

•••••••

REVIEW:THRASHER is the first instalment in KL Savage’s contemporary, adult ROYAL BASTARDS MC: PORTLAND OREGON erotic, MC romance series-a spin off / cross over from the author’s RUTHLESS KINGS MC series. This is thirty-one year old, former US soldier Cameron ‘Thrasher’ Clark, and Delilah’s story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Delilah and Thrasher) following two time lines, THRASHER focuses on Cameron ‘Thrasher’ Clark as he heads to Las Vegas, Nevada, along with some of the members of the Royal Bastards MC in an effort to call in a marker from Ruthless Kings President Reaper but Thrasher never expected to fall for the President’s sister, the woman who stirs something immediate and deep within our story line hero. Enter Delilah, Reaper’s sister, and the woman with whom Thrasher will fall in love. What ensues is the quick building relationship between Thrasher and Delilah, and the potential fall-out as Reaper struggles to accept that Delilah has found love, and is moving on.

Ten years earlier, Cameron Clark was one of only two survivors of a roadside bomb that killed the members of his army platoon while on deployment in Afghanistan. Fast forward to present day wherein Cameron, now known as Thrasher, struggles with debilitating PTSD, which is exacerbated with his arrival in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Delilah is a young woman who survived an attack by a serial killer, and in this Reaper is over protective of the sister he barely knew but Delilah struggles with her lack of freedom, and Thrasher’s arrival and immediate interest pulls Delilah in another direction, away from her brother, and into the arms of someone else.

The relationship between Delilah and Thrasher is one of immediate attraction; an insta-lust to love wherein Thrasher wants Delilah as payment for a debt ensuring our heroine is the old lady, that calls to his heart. Delilah knows that Reaper will not be happy with Thrasher’s demands but hours within meeting our story line hero, Delilah is ready to move away, and on with her life. The $ex scenes are erotic and intense.

We are introduced to a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including most of the members of the ROYAL BASTARDS MC: Portland Chapter, as well as Reaper , Sarah and Tool (Ruthless Kings MC).

THRASHER is a quick read; a fast past story of insta-love between two lost souls looking for someone to call their own. The premise is entertaining; the romance is highly sexual and impassioned; the characters are charismatic and energetic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

K.L. Savage decided they were tired of looking for the kind of books they wanted to read. They had an itch that needed to be scratched, and as every girl knows, nothing scratches better than an alpha.

They write about gritty, alpha males, sometimes their dark sides, and the women they love.
If you have the same itch, their alpha males should fix that.

Newsletter + FREE book: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/wvr02b395h
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/K.L.-Savage-Savage/e/B085S54K2S
Twitter: https://twitter.com/klsavage_author
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/k.l.savage.author
Website: http://www.klsavage.com
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/k-l-savage

Share

A Wolf After My Own Heart by MaryJanice Davidson – a Review

A Wolf After My Own Heart by MaryJanice Davidson – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Book Depository

 

Description:
Oz Adway is a rare breed: an accountant who wants to get dirty. And, by the way, a wolf shifter working for the Interspecies Placement Agency. Bored with his safe office job, he volunteers to find runaway bear cub Sally Smalls, recently orphaned by a plane crash. Piece of cake, right? Unfortunately, Sally’s taken refuge with “ordinary” human Lila Kai, a reluctant guardian who has no idea what’s going on, but will destroy anyone who tries to take the cub. Not that it matters. Oz is not about to let a gorgeous Stable jeopardize his career move.

As for Lila, she knows something’s different about the sexy weirdo who keeps popping up in the wrong place at the right time. She’s determined to figure out what, regardless of the escalating threats to her safety and Oz’s distracting hotness. She didn’t move into a cursed house and take in a werebear just to run when things get complicated. Together, Oz and Lila will prevail! But only if they can keep their hands off each other…

 

 

Review:

A Wolf After My Own Heart by MaryJanice Davidson is the 2nd book in her BeWere My Heart series. We meet our heroine, Lila Kai, as she comes across a bear cub, whom she brings to her new house (it is cursed and run down), and though she is human (stable), Lila finds herself protective of the little girl (Sally). What Lila will discover is that her house is in shifter territory, but with her finances so low, she is content to live there.  Lila is smart and savvy, and also a teddy bear (stuffed) doctor.

Oz Adway, our hero, is a wolf shifter, who works for IPA (Interspecies Placement Agency) and takes on the assignment of finding Sally Small, who was recently orphaned by a plane crash, killing her parents. Oz lives with his mom, and two adoptees, and his were scent (Sally), pushes him to check out Lila’s house, who he immediately finds himself attracted to, despite she being a stable (human).  Sally has a tendency to run away often, but meeting the other local young orphaned shifters (Dev & Caro) living next door, she always comes back to stay in the basement of Lila’s.  We also get to spend a lot of time with Annette Garsea (previous book heroine), who will work with Oz to discover the mystery of Sally’s family. Did they both die, since someone is calling Sally to stay safe with Lila?

What follows is a wild adventure with a crazy group of shifters, including the orphans (I actually like Dev, Caro and Sally the best) that have you either laughing or rolling your eyes.  I did like Lila, as she was a very good heroine, who had no problem dealing with shifters; Oz was a hunk and a nice guy, but I personally didn’t really feel the chemistry between them, though they there were likeable.

After a lot of chaos that destroys Oz’s family house, and has them all staying at Lila’s run-down house, the last third of the story line becomes an exciting and intriguing adventure, putting them in danger, with their lives on the line. A Wolf After My Own Heart was a good story line, with some really great characters.  I will say that I found the wacky humor a bit overdone, with a lot of frenzy and confusion throughout. If you enjoy a paranormal romance, with lots of crazy wild humor, then you should be reading this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

Share